’Dogs handle East Fairmont

March 31, 2013

MARTINSBURG -Tyler Mason laid the foundation for Martinsburg in a doubleheader with East Fairmont Saturday at P.O. Faulkner Park.

Mason pitched five strong innings in the opening game to improve to 2-0 this season and got the Bulldogs going in the nightcap with an RBI triple to build momentum for Martinsburg in two wins - 5-4 and 8-4

"Tyler Mason is a guy who patrols the middle of the field on defense and pounds the zone on the mound," Martinsburg coach Josh Matheny said. "We are impressed with him so far, and we're going to continue to ride with him."

Article Photos

Journal photo by Spenser LeathermanMartinsburg’s Christian Rose delivers a pitch during Game 2 of the?Bulldogs’ doubleheader sweep of East Fairmont Saturday at P.O. Faulkner Field

"Tyler is a good baseball player and a good athlete," Clement Powell said. "He comes every day ready to work and ready to play. He left it all out there for his team. I respect that and am glad that he is on our team."

Mason was the first to credit the players around him for the victories.

"I couldn't do anything without my teammates," Mason said. "I had the defense behind me and other players knock me around the bases."

Martinsburg trailed 3-1 entering the bottom half of the fourth inning until a double off the right-field wall by Powell tied score at 3-3. Chris Longdo and Mitchell Henson scored.

"That situation was a big one," Powell said. "I was just trying to shorten up on the bat and put something in play, make it happen and try and get at least one in.

"I was able to get the job done and bring them both in and bring a momentum boost for our team."

"We talked to our middle hitters about key hits and timely hits," Matheny said. "Clement did a nice job of that for us by putting the barrel on the ball with both runners in scoring position."

Jeremy Madon brought Powell around on an error that put him on base to give Martinsburg the lead.

Martinsburg stretched the lead to two as Kiaree Adams, who courtesy ran for Ryan Decker, was brought home by Curtie Miller to give Chuck McElaney, who entered the contest in the sixth inning, an extra run for support during a save opportunity.

McElaney earned his first save of the season, but East Fairmont rallied to cut its deficit to one before leaving the tying run on base.

The momentum of an day game victory carried over for the Bulldogs in the nightcap, an 8-4 victory.

The Bulldogs started out the contest taking a 2-0 lead.

Miller reached on an infield single and stole second base before Tyler Mason hit a triple to right-center field to bring Miller around. Mason scored on a McElaney groundout to give Martinsburg a two-run advantage.

The lead went away in the top of the third inning.

James Bolander hit a single to center to start the frame for the Bees. Following a walk by Tony Hayes, a double to left field by Cutter Atha brought both Bolander and Hayes around to even the score at two runs apiece.

Martinsburg responded in the bottom half of the inning.

With two out, Mason was hit by a pitch, reached third safely on a single to right by McElaney. Mason and McElaney both scored on a single by Henson to give the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead.

East Fairmont scored in the top of the fourth on a walk with the bases loaded by Tyler Weiss that plated Greg Yerace, who courtesy ran for Truman Weese, to make the score 4-3 in favor of Martinsburg.

Martinsburg scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth and added a run in the fifth inning to stretch its advantage to five runs.

The Bees scored a run in the top of the sixth, but they were unable to close the gap any further as the Bulldogs secured the victory.